Naruto: The Chosen Undead

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Chapter no.2 Oscar of Astora

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The entire room filled with a blinding light. Naruto squinted upwards, shielding his eyes, and as his vision adjusted, he saw him—a knight, armored in a patchwork of gleaming steel and worn leather that fit him like a second skin. His helm, a sculpted piece of metal with narrow slits for eyes, hid his face, but the set of his jaw was unmistakable—this guy meant business. He rested one gauntleted hand on the pommel of his longsword, and in his other hand, he held a shield emblazoned with a golden lion.

"Hey, who are you?" Naruto called out, his voice echoing slightly in the prison cell.

"Oh, you haven't gone full hollow?" the knight asked, his voice filled with surprise.

"What does that mean?" Naruto shot back, but before the knight could explain, he threw down what looked like a corpse at Naruto's feet.

The blonde jumped back, his heart racing. The corpse's skin was pallid and sagging, its eyes hollow and lifeless, and it wore tattered clothes that hung off its frame like rags.

"Hey, weirdo! What's the big idea, huh?" Naruto yelled, his anger flaring up as much as his fear. The knight, unfazed, pointed toward a key hanging from the belt of the corpse.

A key? Yatta, I can finally go free. Oh, Jiji owes me a lot of ramen for making me go through this shit.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, the entire room began to shake violently, dust and small pebbles raining down from the ceiling. It felt like something massive was moving above them, threatening to bring the whole place down.

The knight quickly moved away from the hole in the ceiling through which a sliver of sunlight had been shining. Glancing up, Naruto saw something huge nearly blocking out the light, its massive silhouette ominous and foreboding.

He needs my help! Naruto thought instantly. Without another moment's hesitation, he summoned his shadow clones.

"Let's go."

With a nod to his clone, Naruto motioned for it to run and leap. As it reached him, he clasped his palms together, using them as a step. Channeling chakra into his muscles to enhance his strength, he propelled the clone upwards with all the force he could muster, launching it toward the hole in the ceiling.

"Come on, you guys do the same," he called out to the other clones, watching them replicate the maneuver, helping each other reach the roof. His attention then snapped to the key lying near the chains—a large, rusted piece with a bulky circular handle, its surface marred by dried blood. He grimaced as he picked it up.

He hurriedly unlocked the chains binding him, the metal clinking loudly in the quiet of the dungeon. Once free, he wondered what to do with the key, ultimately deciding to shove it into his pocket. But as soon as he did, the weight of it vanished. Puzzled, he tapped his pocket and even pulled it inside out—nothing.

Where did it go? he muttered, scanning the ground to see if he had dropped it, when a deep, thunderous roar echoed through the dungeon, cutting through his thoughts. The sound was monstrous, full of rage and pain, vibrating through the very walls.

"I'll find the key later, dattebayo."

Naruto sprinted toward his clone, the rapid drumming of his footsteps echoed in the otherwise silent chamber. The clone was ready, hands clasped tightly together, forming a makeshift step. With precision, he planted his right foot into the cupped hands, feeling the push-off as the clone boosted him upwards with a powerful thrust.

The world around him blurred into a whirl of stone and shadow as he was launched into the air. The force of the ascent was intense, rocketing him upward so fast that his stomach flipped with the suddenness of it all. He could feel every muscle tense as he cut through the air, his focus entirely on the small patch of light growing rapidly larger as he approached the hole in the ceiling.

Wind whipped past his ears, a loud whooshing sound that filled the brief flight. For those few seconds, there was nothing but the rush of ascent, the physical reality of moving through space with such speed. It was exhilarating and disorienting, a burst of adrenaline that sharpened his senses and heightened his awareness.

Naruto had done this kind of thing enough times to know how to land without losing his bearings.

With a quick pull, he hauled himself up and onto solid ceiling, landing in a crouch. The rush of the climb didn't throw him off; he was used to this, the sudden shifts in movement, the need to adapt quickly. This was a ninja's bread and butter.

But he didn't have time to take in his surroundings. His gaze was fixed on the thing standing in front of him. Whatever he'd expected when he rushed up here to help the knight, it sure as hell wasn't this.

Towering above him, the creature was a monstrous sight, its skin a grotesque patchwork of bulging, mottled flesh, each fold glistening with a slick, oily sheen. The bloated mass of its body seemed ready to burst, its limbs so twisted and swollen they looked barely capable of supporting its immense weight. From its head, a horrific face leered down at him, crowned with a chaotic tangle of horns that jutted upwards like the gnarled branches of a dead tree. Its eyes burned with a sinister, red glow, full of malevolence. In its gargantuan hand, it held a massive club—more like a weaponized tree trunk—studded with spikes and wrapped in ragged strips of leather. It looked like it was built to crush everything in its path, bone and spirit alike.

Naruto gulped, his throat suddenly dry. This thing was bigger than his entire house back in Konoha.

Every ounce of bravado he usually had evaporated. He found himself rooted to the spot, frozen in a way he'd never been before. He'd fought bullies, sparred in training, faced off against other students. But this—this was different. This was real danger. This was life and death. And for all the big talk he usually spewed, he was terrified. The thought of that monster's club smashing down on him, splintering him into pieces… He couldn't move, couldn't think, couldn't breathe.

It's going to kill me.

Then, in a blur of motion, the knight slid between the creature's massive legs, his longsword flashing like silver lightning. He struck hard, the blade slicing into the demon's thick, fleshy calf. Dark blood spurted out, a sickening spray that hit the ground with a wet splatter. The creature let out a deafening roar, stumbling backward as it swung its club wildly, its movements erratic and pained.

Naruto could still feel the fear gripping him, but it wasn't the same all-consuming terror from moments before. Seeing the knight's blade bite into that grotesque mass, watching the demon flinch and stagger… it shattered the image of an unstoppable monster in his mind. This thing could be hurt. It wasn't invincible. His fear didn't vanish, but it shifted, becoming something else, something more manageable.

He could still feel his heart hammering against his ribs, still sense the sweat slicking his palms, but he wasn't frozen anymore. This wasn't just some nightmare he was helpless against. He wasn't helpless. The demon was big, terrifying, but it could bleed. And if it could bleed, it could be beaten.

[ Name: Asylum Demon ]

[ HP: 2,000 / 2,195 ]

Naruto blinked as the window of information flashed in front of him, barely having time to process what it said before the world slowed to a crawl. The Asylum Demon was moving, its massive arm raised high, preparing for a devastating backswing. He could see every muscle in its grotesque form tense as it wound up for the strike, the knight standing there, completely exposed.

It all happened in slow motion—the demon's arm pulling back, its massive weapon glinting in the light as it swung. Naruto's heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline flooding his veins as he watched the knight stand unguarded, no time to react. No! his mind screamed, but before he could even move, there was a puff of smoke, and the knight was gone. In his place, one of Naruto's shadow clones appeared via substitution jutsu, taking the full brunt of the swing.

The demon's attack was so powerful that the shockwave nearly knocked Naruto off the ceiling, the wind whipping violently past him as he struggled to stay grounded. His clone was obliterated instantly, turning into a puff of smoke, dispersing into nothingness. Huh? the knight muttered, clearly confused about what had just happened.

Naruto didn't wait.

His voice rang out, sharp and full of urgency as he shouted to his clones, "Get that fucker!"

Without hesitation, they rushed the demon, attacking with everything they had. Meanwhile, the knight stood there, looking more confused than ever.

"Come on, let's get out of here!" Naruto grabbed his gauntlet, pulling him along as they jumped into the hole together. Channeling chakra to his legs, he braced for the impact, softening the fall so that neither of them would be shattered by the drop. He landed with a thud, but thanks to the chakra, his legs held firm.

The knight, still in shock, stared at Naruto like he'd just seen the impossible. Meanwhile, Naruto scrambled to find the key, his hands moving frantically across the floor.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to find the key! We need to get out of here before that thing—" He didn't finish. The wind roared as the demon swung again, and Naruto grabbed his head, overwhelmed by the sudden rush of memories flooding back from his clones. He didn't even know that was possible, but in an instant, he saw everything—none of his clones had even scratched the demon. It had wiped them all out with ease, each one vanishing into smoke with a single swing.

"Don't worry," the knight said, his voice strangely calm. "The demon won't come into the asylum."

"What?" Naruto looked up, his heart hammering as he followed the knight's gaze. The demon's massive form loomed above the hole, its eye staring down at them. For a moment, sheer terror gripped Naruto. He couldn't move. It felt like those eyes could swallow him whole, like the weight of its gaze alone could crush him.

But, like the knight said, the demon didn't move. It stared for a moment longer, then slowly turned and lumbered away. Naruto was still trembling, his breath shaky, his mind trying to catch up with everything that had just happened.

"Are you okay?" the knight asked, his voice cutting through the haze of thoughts racing in Naruto's head. He took a deep breath and forced a wide grin onto his face, masking the storm of confusion that had taken hold of him.

"Of course! You think a measly demon can scare the great Naruto Uzumaki?"

"Naruto Uzumaki," the knight repeated, sounding out the name like he was testing how it felt on his tongue.

"Yep, that's me! And I'm gonna be the greatest Hokage in Konoha," Naruto added, puffing out his chest. But the moment the words left his mouth, he noticed the knight tilt his head slightly.

"You are a strange one, aren't you?" the knight said.

"Well, this strange one just saved your life, dattebayo!" Naruto shot back, crossing his arms.

The knight chuckled, the sound almost warm despite the grim surroundings, and he stretched out his hand. "That you did. My name's Oscar, Knight of Astora. Pleased to meet you."

"You're not from Konoha?" Naruto asked as he grabbed Oscar's hand and shook it. His grip was firm but not crushing.

"I'm not aware of this Konoha you speak of. I am a proud elite knight of Astora, here on my pilgrimage to Lordran."

Lordran? Astora? None of it made any sense. Naruto blinked, trying to process the words, but it was like trying to read a scroll in a language he'd never even seen before. His mind reeled, every question he had piling up on top of each other like a mountain he couldn't climb.

How did I get here? What happened to Konoha? Where is this place?!

He could feel panic rising inside him, but somehow, he didn't let it show. That was new. Usually, his emotions were right there for everyone to see, no filter. But this time, the chaos inside him stayed bottled up. Even he was surprised by how calm he seemed on the outside.

"Is something wrong?"

"No," Naruto lied, though the word felt hollow even as it left his mouth.

"Then why are you still shaking my hand?"

Naruto blinked and realized with a start that he hadn't let go of Oscar's hand. His face flushed with embarrassment, and he quickly pulled his hand back, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Sorry, I just...," he stammered, scrambling for words, the weight of everything he didn't understand pressing down on him. But instead of spiraling, he quickly switched gears. "Where's the key?"

Changing the topic was easier than confronting the questions pounding in his head. He'd figure it out later. Right now, he just needed to focus on getting out of here.

Naruto paused, his eyes flicking back to the glowing system window that floated in front of him. Curiosity gnawed at him, a thought bubbling up from the back of his mind. "I wonder..." he whispered, barely audible even to himself. "Item."

To his shock, the command worked.

[ Inventory ]

— [ Consumables ]

— [ Upgrade Materials ]

— [ Key Items ]

— [ Spells ]

— [ Weapons ]

— [ Ammunition ]

— [ Armour ]

— [ Rings ]

Naruto selected Key Items and clicked on the Dungeon Cell Key.

In an instant, the key materialized in his pocket, as if he had summoned it from thin air. He felt it for a second, still marveling at how this weird system responded to his words. Without another word, he held it up for Oscar to see.

Oscar didn't say anything, but his face showed clear surprise. Naruto could tell the knight had no idea how he'd just done that, and frankly, he didn't either.

"Come on, let's get out of here," he said as he unlocked the rusted metal gate and pushed it open with a creak.

As soon as the door opened, the hall stretched out before him, and he froze. The dungeon was massive, its walls arching into the ceiling like the ribs of some ancient, long-dead beast. Prison cells lined the walls, each one filled with broken metal bars that looked as if they had been wrenched apart by sheer force. Torches flickered along the corridor, casting eerie shadows that danced across the stone floor.

But what really caught Naruto's attention were the figures shambling in the distance. They weren't human—at least, not anymore. Their flesh was peeling away, leaving patches of raw, red meat exposed. Some had barely any skin left at all, their bodies twisted and grotesque. They clutched broken sword hilts in their decaying hands, their eyes hollow and lifeless. The only thing they wore were tattered loincloths, their forms hunched and pitiful.

"What... what are these?" Naruto muttered under his breath, the sight sending a chill down his spine.

"Hollows," Oscar said as he stepped forward, gripping his longsword with both hands. The blade gleamed faintly in the torchlight.

"Hollows?"

"An undead that has lost its purpose."

Naruto stared at the creatures, his mind racing. An undead that had lost its purpose… something about that hit hard, though he couldn't explain why. Shaking the thought away, he glanced at Oscar's sword, an idea forming in his head.

"Can I... um, maybe use your sword?"

"Why?" Oscar asked, not unkindly, but curious.

"I've never used a sword before and…"

Oscar cut Naruto off. "Very well," he said, handing over the longsword.

"Huh, you agreed that easily?"

"Of course. You saved my life," Oscar said with a nod. "And I think teaching you some basic sword skills would be a fair way to repay my debt."

Naruto grinned despite the tension hanging in the air.

"Really? Alright! Let's do this, dattebyo!" he said, gripping the sword, feeling its weight in his hands.

Oscar glanced at the hollows, who stood idle, almost as if they were waiting.

"They are docile hollow," he said, eyeing them carefully. "Perfect test subjects."

Naruto's face lit up like a firework. No one had ever really bothered to teach him anything when he asked. The academy teachers mostly ignored him or brushed him off. But here was Oscar, actually taking the time to show him how to wield a sword.

He felt... grateful. Really grateful.

"This is the Astoria Straight Sword."

Naruto grabbed it, feeling the cold metal grip in his hand. It was heavier than he expected, the weight almost pulling his arm down. He tried to adjust, gripping it tighter, but the sword felt awkward, almost like it didn't belong in his hand. The blade seemed to resist every motion, like he was trying to force it to move in ways it wasn't meant to. The hilt was firm and sturdy, but as he shifted his grip, the sword wobbled slightly in his hand, revealing just how inexperienced he was with it.

"So, what kind of special move are you going to teach me?" Naruto asked, doing a couple of wild swings. They were sloppy, and he knew it. The sword felt too heavy, too clumsy, and the way he swung it only made it more obvious that he'd never held one in his life. He could barely keep it steady as he brought it around.

"I remember when I was younger, I had the same thoughts. Trying to master some amazing sword technique that looked flashy."

Naruto paused, listening closely. Oscar wasn't like the teachers back at the academy. He wasn't lecturing him or making him feel stupid. He actually wanted to teach him, and Naruto wasn't going to waste that. He promised himself he would take this seriously, to repay Oscar for the time he was giving him.

"But life on the battlefield has taught me something important," Oscar continued. "The basics of a weapon are more valuable than any fancy technique."

He raised two fingers in front of Naruto. "Let me teach you two basic techniques that will keep you safe. These apply to any weapon you might use."

Naruto nodded, trying to lock in every word. Two techniques. Got it.

"The first," Oscar said, lifting his sword with one hand, "is the weak attack." He stepped forward and swung horizontally in a swift, clean motion that seemed effortless. The blade moved in a direct line, cutting through the air with precision. "A weak attack uses one hand for a quicker strike. The goal is speed and efficiency—getting the blade to your opponent before they can react. You want to minimize the distance between you and the target, striking quickly and recovering just as fast."

Naruto watched closely as Oscar demonstrated, noticing how he kept his movements compact. His stance was solid, and he didn't waste energy.

"A weak attack isn't about power," Oscar added. "It's about speed, control, and keeping yourself ready for whatever comes next."

Naruto nodded, trying to absorb the lesson. Speed, not strength. That made sense, especially for him. He wasn't exactly the biggest guy around, but he could be fast.

Then, Oscar shifted his stance, this time gripping the sword with both hands. "Now, the strong attack."

He brought the sword up high and drove it down in a powerful vertical strike, his whole body behind the motion. The blade sliced through the air with force, and Naruto could feel the weight of the swing even from where he stood.

"A strong attack requires more strength and endurance," Oscar explained. "You commit more of your body to the swing, using both hands for maximum impact. The goal is to deal significant damage, to break through defenses. It's slower, but the power behind it makes it difficult for an opponent to block or counter."

He alternated between stabs and upward swings, showing Naruto how to use the full range of motion with a strong attack.

"The key to a strong attack," Oscar said, "is timing. You need to know when to use it. It leaves you open, but if timed correctly, it can end a fight quickly."

"You think I'll be able to do this?" Naruto asked, staring nervously at the hollows.

"Of course," Oscar said, his voice steady and confident. The way he spoke, like he genuinely believed in Naruto, sent a jolt of determination through his chest. If Oscar thought he could do it, then he was going to give it his best shot.

He took a deep breath, gripping the sword tightly in his hand. "Okay, weak attack," he muttered to himself, stepping forward. He swung at the first hollow, aiming for a quick, precise strike just like Oscar had shown him, but he misjudged the distance. The sword barely grazed the hollow's side, the swing off-balance and sloppy. He nearly tripped over his own feet, his heart pounding as he stumbled backward, expecting the hollow to lunge at him.

But it didn't move, just stood there, swaying slightly. Naruto gulped, the near-miss making his stomach twist.

"Failure is part of learning, young Naruto. Don't let it define you—learn from it and do better."

"Yeah," Naruto whispered to himself, taking another deep breath. He stepped forward again, raising the sword and focusing on the hollow in front of him. This time, he swung with more control, keeping his movements compact. The blade connected solidly, cutting into the hollow's side with a quick, clean motion.

"Good," Oscar said, his tone approving. "Remember, keep your stance steady and use your body to guide the sword, not just your arms. You want to be quick, but stay balanced."

Naruto nodded, adjusting his footing and trying to follow Oscar's advice. There was another hollow nearby, and he turned to face it, taking a moment to center himself before attacking. This time, the weak attack felt smoother, his grip more secure as he drove the blade forward. The hollow crumpled under the strike, and he felt a rush of satisfaction.

"Excellent," Oscar praised. "Now, the strong attack. Use your whole body. Don't rush it—focus on power and precision."

With Oscar's words echoing in his head, Naruto turned toward the last hollow at the end of the hall. He raised the sword high, gripping it with both hands. "Here goes nothing," he muttered, and then he swung down hard, using all his strength. The sword cut through the air and struck the hollow with a force that reverberated up his arms. It wasn't perfect, but it was a huge improvement from his earlier attempts.

Standing at the top of the stairs, Naruto let out a breathless shout, his heart racing with exhilaration. Swinging a sword is awesome!

He felt alive, the thrill of the fight buzzing through him like lightning.

He turned, ready to ascend the stairs, when Oscar's voice stopped him. "Wait, young Naruto."

Naruto blinked, remembering the sword in his hand. "Oh, yeah. This is your sword. I should give it back."

But Oscar shook his head. "No, you forgot to claim your prize." He pointed to the hollows Naruto had defeated. Naruto followed his gaze and saw a strange white light swirling above the fallen enemies, forming into small orbs.

"What is it?"

"This is a soul," Oscar explained. "Souls can be used to strengthen your abilities. By spending them, you can enhance aspects of your body, like strength, dexterity, and more."

Naruto glanced at the status screen that had appeared earlier, at the numbers that represented different attributes of his body. Maybe, if he collected these souls, he could make those numbers go up and get stronger.

"How do I claim this soul?" Naruto asked eagerly, his eyes fixed on the glowing orbs.

"Just grab it."

Naruto reached out and touched one of the white orbs. It seemed to dissolve, the light sinking into his skin and spreading through his body. It felt warm, a strange, almost tingly sensation that surged through him like a jolt of energy.

"Okay, how do I get stronger?"

"Let's wait until we're in a safe zone," Oscar replied calmly. "Then I'll show you."

Naruto nodded, understanding. There was no point in powering up if they were about to get attacked again.

"Do you still want your sword back?" he offered again.

But Oscar just pointed down the hall. Naruto turned to see another hollow, this one moving toward them, its steps uneven and jerky.

Naruto grinned, feeling a surge of confidence. "Looks like I've got a moving target now!"